Virtual Reality Mental Health Interventions in Geriatric Care for Functional or Well-being Enhancement – A Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose It has become common to use Virtual Reality (VR) for mental health interventions; however, its use in care of the elederly is limited, especially regarding mood and well-being. In this review, we summarize the results of current VR-based mental health interventions for this population.

Methods Peer-reviewed journal articles on immersive VR mental health intervention in seniors, published until 2022, were included.

Results There were 2697 results found in the database search, of which 40 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Most studies did not use an experimental design with randomized controlled trials and follow-up sessions. Function-oriented and entertainment-oriented intervention studies were categorized. VR-based geriatric mental interventions have grown rapidly since 2018, especially the number of interventions that promote wellbeing. The function-oriented interventions used active interactions with varied devices. Entertainment-oriented interaction was primarily passive, seldomly using hand controllers for moving activities. Generally, VR interventions improved the mental health of older adults.

Conclusion Geriatric rehabilitation can benefit from this innovative technology to maintain cognitive functions and to improve the well-being of seniors. They have potential for use in aging care and in retirement homes. Future VR interventions may also involve promoting social interaction to combat loneliness among seniors.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie Virtual Reality (VR) Interventionen zur Förderung der psychischen Gesundheit können auch neue Möglichkeiten im Bereich geriatrischer Rehabilitation bieten. Bislang gibt es kaum VR in der Altenpflege, insbesondere nicht zur Wohlbefindensförderung. In diesem Scoping Review fassen wir die Ergebnisse aktueller VR-basierter Interventionen im Bereich der psychischen Gesundheit von Senioren zusammen.

Methode In die Untersuchung wurden peer-reviewed Fachartikel zu immersiven VR-Interventionen im Bereich der psychischen Gesundheit von Senioren aufgenommen, die bis zum Jahr 2022 veröffentlicht wurden.

Ergebnisse In der Datenbanksuche wurden 2697 Ergebnisse gefunden, von denen 40 Artikel die Einschlusskriterien erfüllten und in die abschließende Analyse aufgenommen wurden. Die meisten Studien verwendeten kein experimentelles Design mit randomisierten kontrollierten Studien und Nachuntersuchungen. Seit 2018 ist ein deutlicher Zuwachs von Wohlbefindens-orientierten Gesundheitsinterventionen für Senioren zu verzeichnen. Die Interventionen wurden in funktionsorientierte und unterhaltungsorientierte Studien unterteilt. Die funktionsorientierten Interventionen beinhalteten aktive Interaktionen mit verschiedenen Geräten. Die unterhaltungsorientierten Interventionen waren hingegen hauptsächlich passiv und beinhalteten kaum bewegungsbezogene Aktivitäten mit Controllern. Im Allgemeinen verbesserten VR-Interventionen die psychische Gesundheit älterer Erwachsener.

Schlussfolgerung Die geriatrische Rehabilitation kann von innovativen VR-Technologien profitieren, um kognitive Funktionen zu erhalten und das Wohlbefinden von Senioren zu verbessern. Sie haben Potenzial für den Einsatz in der Altenpflege und in Seniorenheimen. Zukünftige VR-Interventionen sollten auch die Förderung sozialer Interaktionen zur Reduktion von Einsamkeitserleben bei Senioren zum Gegenstand machen.

Keywords

older adults - immersive VR - review - intervention - mental health - geriatric rehabilitation - aging care

Schlüsselwörter

ältere Erwachsene - immersive Virtual Reality - geriatrische Rehabilitation - aging care - mentale Gesundheit - scoping review

Publication History

Article published online:
17 June 2024

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